Average Bufph Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Ralph Ellison
2010-09-29
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this deeply compelling novel and epic milestone of American literature, a nameless narrator tells his story from the basement lair of the Invisible Man he imagines himself to be.
One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years
He describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he is expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of "the Brotherhood," before retreating amid violence and confusion.
Originally published in 1952 as the first novel by a then unknown author, it remained on the bestseller list for sixteen weeks and established Ralph Ellison as one of the key writers of the century. The book is a passionate and witty tour de force of style, strongly influenced by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, James Joyce, and Dostoevsky.
This classic work offers a profound and raw look into the African American experience. Ellison's narrative is intense, with each page resonating with the struggles and resilience of its protagonist. It’s a dive deep into the psyche of identity and the harsh realities of societal expectations, making it a standout piece in the conversation about race and culture in America. The depth and complexity of the story had me reflecting long after I turned the last page.
